The title of the article made me laugh given the author's race but he makes some excellent points. If a White had written some of this stuff he'd be accused of stereotyping.

Why Father's Day Saddens Me

Historically, the black family was strong and intact. Even in the worst of times, when racism dominated our society, our community was still dedicated to keeping families together. Not only did we survive in the face of adversity - we excelled.

What happened?

Ironically, it was LBJ's "War on Poverty," which began shortly after the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and marked the turning point for many black families. It created a welfare state that engulfed black America and proved to be devastating to pre-existing black economic and social progress.

A government bureaucracy was created that basically subsidized irresponsibility and social dysfunction. Unmarried black women were financially rewarded for having children out of wedlock and weak-willed black men were excused for being lazy, irresponsible losers - siring as many illegitimate kids with as many women as they pleased. Why not? The government would take care of their progeny.

Having survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, the black family began a rapid moral disintegration under a program that was sold as an emergency rescue but was transformed into a way of life. No wonder so many blacks just sat on their hands and did nothing after the civil-rights movement.

For three generations - until welfare reform was adopted in 1996 - young black girls were raised and culturally conditioned to be "baby mamas" instead of loving and nurturing wives and mothers and to prefer "baby daddies" over responsible, loving and supportive husbands and fathers. The mere idea of marriage as a sacred institution for the proper rearing of children became a joke. Too many black men saw no reason whatsoever to be committed husbands and fathers. Why should they? Welfare rendered their role in the family unnecessary.